Dick is now Jane

Dick and Rick came. And as any of you know, this family or mine we know Jane is gone.  She is passed. Dick wore his wife's hat this spring and Rick fished with her reel. The fishing was tough as we only put 33 brooktrout in the boat, one pike, one whitefish and one laker.  Dick had been fishing with me for fourteen years.  Most of those with his wife Jane.  Between the two of them, they had 10 brooktrout that were 25 inches.  But neither one had ever cracked a 26 incher.  On our second day, Dick said, "Gee, I'd like to get one over 25".  And what does he do, while wearing Jane's hat?  He gets a 26 and a 27 inch brooktrout in the same day.  Both those fish were well over 7 pounds while wearing Jane's hat. Good for you Dick.  Day three comes along,  what else can we do?  We have motor problems again, cold, rainy and yet we tough it out. Rick and Dick both missed this fish. But yet we went back to the spot and Dick got him.  This whopping 17 pound lake trout. Then we had to limp our way home as Hardcore had problems with his motor again.  I have to take responsibility for my motor problems as it was due to a lack of maintenance. But yet, look at this laker and Dick is 80+ years old and it is the biggest laker he ever caught.  Over 10 plus minutes to land, Dick caught a 26, a 27 in brookie and a 33 inch laker all on barbless hooks. If you people out there, who think you don't need to pinch a barb, you should talk to an 80+ year old man who can put trophy fish in the boat. Just set the hook when you get a bite. To Rick and Dick, may the Lord bless you and hope to see you again next year.  For you Dick, keep on rockin, trust the Lord. Love you old man (dad).

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Vetern and Rookie

It was Dave's fourth trip with me, but for Rich it was his first time.  Dave got the biggest, a 22 incher, that was close to five pounds.  Meanwhile Dave's personal best is 27 incher.  Rich had never been here before.  He caught his personal best brookie on the first day which we didn't measure because we knew he would beat that.  Low and behold, we have motor problems.  My fuel pump gave out, but we limped along and Rich managed to get a 20 incher below Alexander Dam.  To a lot of people, a 20 incher is basically average on the Nipigon system.  But to Rich, it was the biggest brook trout he ever caught in his life. He was happy about that. It took teamwork to get home after the first day when my motor shut down. Rich walked the shoreline with the bow rope and Dave had a piker pole and I used the paddle.  We limped along for day 2 and saw fish but they wouldn't bite. Hardcore had a hard time not delivering for a solid three days. Thankfully the Lord gave me two guys who appreciated where they were and what they were trying to do. These two guys are welcome in my boat anytime they want too. May the Lord bless you and I hope to see you again next year. To Caster Dave and his cousin Rich, rock on brothers.

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Dick and Rick

Dick and Rick came this spring. They came together because the Bjorem family and the Laukkanen family both lost Jane on Boxing Day 2023.  Jane was an incredible person. Not only was she Dick's wife for 63 years, she was also Rick's mother.  She was also like a mother to me.  Jane was also a grandmother and not just to her grandkids, but to my kids as well.  It is hard for me to do this blog post, but yet I know Jane is in a better place.  Rick and Dick caught 37 brook trout over the three days.  The numbers I forget, but they each caught one five pounds or better.  Over the years, the Bjorem family must have 50-80 brook trout over five pounds with many being in the 6-8 pound range.  But it is not always about the fish.  The conversations, the trials and tribulations, water spouts, blown motors, how we treat each other, respect for nature, respect for each other, and last but not least, our conversations about the Lord. We are all appointed but once to die, and to those of us who are still living, enjoy life to the fullest because we never know when the Lord will take us home.  Until that day comes, let us honour and remember the dead, who they were and what they believed in.  And to those who believe in the Lord, we will always have hope.  May the Lord bless you Dick, Rick and family.  We feel your pain and loss.  But Jane will live on in the memories of us that knew her, including my children.  The Laukkanen family loves the Bjorem family and we will soldier on without our valiant Jane.  Be strong Dick, you are not alone.  Look forward to our next meeting.  Love your extended family.  

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Dave and Joe came and it was an early spring. they caught 62 brookies over 3 days. Dave got a 27 incher with a 14 inch girth good for 7 pounds plus.  Joe also caught a big one that was 24.5 inches about 5.5 pounds that is his personal best. Dave has 2 brookies with me that were 27 inches.  This is 2 years in a row that Dave has caught a 27 inch book trout with me. I have only seen four 27 inch brook trout caught and Dave has 2 of them. They were great to guide and I look forward to seeing them next year. May the Lord bless them as the Lord is in control and guides our days. Take care see you soon.

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1st Timers

Phil and Dawn came fishing for the first time with Hardcore.  They struggled for the first few days.  Oh my goodness, the last day was the best.  They ended up with 19 brook trout over three days.  They each caught one over five pounds.  Dawn also caught a 9-pound lake trout that she fought perfectly and landed.  After this happened, Dawn was catching some brook trout but was complaining that the drag wasn’t working properly.  I did not believe her and neither did her husband Phil especially after I checked her drag and it seemed to be working fine.  She ended up missing a big brook trout because of this problem.  If there is one thing I learned with Phil and Dawn, it not about how you start, but how you finish.  They started weak but ended strong. Congratulations to Phil and Dawn for figuring it out.  May God bless you and your family.  

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Best First Timers

Next comes Willy and Amos these two guys are Michigan rednecks for sure.  They are the x generation of the Bjorem family.  These two guys come out of nowhere to me, but they were booked because they knew Dick.  Willy and Amos caught 69 brookies over 3 days.  They also caught 7 whitefish and 5 lakers.  These two guys know how to fish but they also have common sense and respect for their elders. Willy and Amos caught 69 brookies on their first trip here which is also a new record.  Willy and Amos were the best first group that I ever had.  Somebody must have guided them as to what to do and expect.  These two boys have earned my respect as hardcore approved.  Willy has a new record as well.  He caught a Trophy brookie without his drag making any sound at all.  Willy caught a 6lber in 2 minutes without his drag.  This was no surprise as they were well-spoken by their elders.  Keep on rocking in the free world. To Willy and Amos may God bless you both in your families.  Hopefully we will see each other next spring.

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101 and Done

Okay now it is Ricks turn to shine and carry the torch.  Rick is the son of Dick and Jane.  Rick also comes prepared and ready to rock and roll.  He also chose to bring along a good partner in “caster Dave”.  These two guys smashed a record for most fish over 3 days.  Not only did they boat 101 Brookies over 3 days, but they also caught a 27.5-inch brook trout 3 times over 3 days. Rick caught it twice and Dave caught it once.  This fish was 7lbs.  Rick also caught one that was 21 inches long but had girth of 16 inches.  This fish was 6 lbs 11 oz.  Rick and Dave are true fishermen and pros as you do not set records and standards unless you put in the work and effort.  It is so bizarre that Dick and Jane had their worst year ever and yet Rick and Dave come and set records. That is because us children are to learn from our parents and add our own knowledge into the mix. Rick out fished Dave by a few fish and caught the biggest fish twice but Dave also caught the 27.5-inch brookie and they share the longest brook trout ever in my boat. Now here comes reality.  Rick has caught a brook trout that was 25 inches but had girth and that fish was 7.5 lbs.  To Rick and Dave, you guys were awesome and you earned the title.

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